WHO IS AL EVERETT?
It was 1962 and I can remember being a teenager sitting in a large leather chair in a huge glass walled office overlooking the intersection of the Southfield Freeway and Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, Michigan. School was out for the summer and my dad was in the other room along with five other men. I was told to sit still and not to touch anything. I could not see them but you could hear sounds of a hammer, along with cutting and stapling. They were installing at that time some of the most expensive and unique carpeting available.
As I looked around the office I could see a lot of pictures and memorabilia. Many of the pictures were in black and white and there were so many model cars displayed it almost looked like a hobby shop. There was one face that stood out in most of the black and white photos. Even as a teenager I knew who that was. It was Henry Ford.
I was sitting in the office of Henry Ford II in Ford’s world headquarters. It was almost like being in Greenfield village, which was only a few hundred yards away. The office was needless to say pretty incredible and I will never forget the feeling of power and luxury. I could only imagine what went on inside that office and what the interactions must have been like. I said to myself ….. “This is what I want to do for a living”. I want to design offices. And this is where my interiors DNA came from as I find myself frequently thinking about those moments. And I also never imagined that someone who I know and used to work with in our industry, would be sitting somewhere on that floor 56 years later.
I have been fortunate to have worked in the built environment now in various capacities for over 40 years. During this exciting journey I have also been a builder and realtor, building cottage style homes along lake Michigan and other inland lakes. My motto's were then and still are today “I play near the water and inexpensive doesn't have to look that way". To this day I still cannot pass a home magazine in a reception area without picking it up. It has now become a case of what goes around comes around.
Many of you also know that my wife and I realized our dream of building a new home that we designed here in the Leelanau peninsula. The property overlooks both Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau and we can see the lights from Fish town in Leland at night.
Because of the reception and feedback we have received with our home I decided to go back to my roots to sell, design and build cottage style residential homes. This also includes helping my clients find existing homes and property.
I would love the opportunity to help you fulfill your dreams. If I can do it ... you can too.
Let's do it together.
WE WILL HAVE FUN ALONG THE WAY!
WE ARE ALWAYS LESS THAN 5 MILES FROM A BODY OF WATER
STAGES OF YOUR DREAM
There’s a lot to know when it comes to buying a home in one of the Grand Traverse area counties. Understanding the details of the local community, identifying the size of home, style of home and setting, and of course, organizing a budget - these are all important details to consider. Whether you’re a first time buyer, looking for a bigger house or downsizing, I’m here to help you every step of the way. My goal is to provide you with expert, caring, and candid advice throughout one of the most important transactions in your life. That is my commitment to you.
COTTAGE STYLE HOMES
GRAND TRAVERSE AREA
TODAY’S HOMEBUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR GREAT DESIGN AND GREAT VALUE. FROM STARTER HOMES TO LUXURIOUS MOVE-UPS, THEY’RE INTENT ON FINDING SOMETHING THAT’S UNIQUE AND PERSONAL.
I BELIEVE THAT AFFORDABLE DOES NOT HAVE TO LOOK THAT WAY! NOT LONG AGO, THE TERM COOKIE-CUTTER WAS ONLY USED BY BUILDERS AND DESIGN PROFESSIONALS AS THEY DISCUSSED HOW TO VARY STREETSCAPES FILLED WITH AFFORDABLE REPETITIVE PLANS. BUT NOW BUYERS ARE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM AND MOST ARE QUICK TO DESCRIBE A NEIGHBORHOOD AS COOKIE-CUTTER IF THEY SENSE TOO MUCH REPETITION.
FROM A CONSTRUCTION PERSPECTIVE, OF COURSE, REPETITION BECOMES ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVE HOME BUILDING. THIS IS WHERE THOUGHTFUL AND CREATIVE DESIGNS BECOMES ESSENTIAL. WITH OUR DESIGN TEAM STRATEGIES, IT’S POSSIBLE TO PRODUCE MULTIPLE ELEVATION DESIGNS FOR THE SAME FLOOR PLAN. WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF MATERIAL AND PROPORTION VARIATIONS, OUR DESIGNS COULD BE PLACED SIDE BY SIDE, WITH NO HINT OF COOKIE CUTTER. OUR HOME DESIGNS LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON OUR CLIENTS AND WITH AN ELEMENT OF UNIQUENESS, CHARACTER AND SURPRISE. AND WE MAKE THE JOURNEY FUN!
THIS IS MY WHY …..
UP NORTH COTTAGE STYLE HAS A COLORFUL, COMFORTABLE LOOK CHARACTERIZED BY PAINTED OR DECORATED ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS AND FURNITURE WITH GRACEFUL LINES, WEATHERED FINISHES, TEXTURAL ELEMENTS SUCH AS BASKETS, BEADBOARD WALLS AND NATURAL-FIBER RUGS. OUR INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR COLORS ARE TAKEN STRAIGHT FROM A LUSH FLOWER GARDEN.
Ready to start the dreaming process? Contact me today to help you with visions your next home.
"Our customers are not always building howevever they are always learning."
I will personally return ALL calls and messages ASAP!
MY SERVICES
YOUR DREAM - FULL CONSULTATION
As one of my most popular services, these diagnostic discovery appointments tend to fill up fast. No matter what real estate need you have, rest assured that I will provide all the available resources and guidance you and your family need to succeed. For your convenience when necessary, we can also conduct these sessions using online video conferencing.
We use this diagnostic discovery process for new construction and also for purchasing existing homes.
There is no charge for these sessions regardless of the number of sessions required.
HOME SELECTION
Throughout many years of providing this service to clients, I have gained the experience and expertise necessary to make this process as fun as possible. We have thousands of available designs to start your journey or we can use your plans. After all... it is your dream.
THE PROCESS
Construction and real estate decisions can be difficult and complicated, which is why it’s crucial to take an informed approach. We use a online project communication tool that provides transparent project management. As a customer you will be encouraged to provide input online and stay informed. Count on me and our team to help guide you in every step of the process. Everyone in our organization including you will have instant online visibility to project progress and important milestones.
NOT QUITE READY YET?
Many of you for a variety of reasons may not quite be ready yet. That's ok ... No worries and no pressure. Even up north.. "No wine until it is time". Now is the time to do your homework until you are ready. Now is the time also to figure out exactly what your dream might be. We can help.... If you have any questions and need some ideas or direction just simply get in touch.
THE UP NORTH COTTAGE STYLE GROUP
When you become one of my customers you will be invited to a fun and selective group consisting of other customers just like you. The Up North Cottage Style Group will meet periodically for educational and social events so that all of us can continue to learn. Yes … I said all of us. Including myself. The group will make decisions on meeting content that could include things like landscaping, gardening, interior design, round table topics etc. We will also use the venue as a feedback tool for you to share how we can be a better provider for you. This is my commitment to making sure that we start and remain totally transparent with one another.
NEED TO SELL YOUR HOME FIRST?
I CAN HELP!
Up North Cottage Style
Al Everett
Greater Traverse City Michigan
231 994-2223
